Law Ministry clears the decks for Dreamliners

Settlement package between Air India, Boeing approved

The Law and Justice Ministry is understood to have approved the compensation settlement package between Air India and U.S. plane-maker Boeing, paving the way for delivery of Dreamliners to India in the next few weeks. There has been a four-year delay in the handing over of the aircraft.

Sources in the Civil Aviation Ministry said a team comprising officials from Air India, pilots and engineers has left for the South Carolina facility of Boeing to finish the formalities for smooth delivery.

“They are just awaiting a green signal from the Indian government and then the delivery schedule will be worked out and things will start rolling. With the Law Ministry giving a go-ahead and the Cabinet having already given its nod, things will start moving at a fast pace. The entire delivery schedule of 27 aircraft is likely to be completed by 2016,” a senior official of the Ministry said. Air India officials said they were awaiting a formal nod from the Civil Aviation Ministry on the compensation package and they would chalk out a delivery schedule that could witness the induction of these long haul planes into the fleet.

The Dreamliner 787 has been parked in Boeing’s U.S. facility for the last few weeks ready for delivery.